153 



were first described by an Italian author, about 260 years 

 ago, in whose treatise rough wood-cuts of some crested 

 fowls were given as " Paduan Fowls." Paduan was an 

 Italian city, and these crested fowls were, therefore, 

 Italian. Buffon refers to the Paduan fowls, and supposed 

 them to have been descended from Asiatic stock ; he 

 also described a variety with white body and black crest, 

 which has long been extinct, although breeders have 

 made many efforts to restore it. The vareties of the 

 Polish fowls now known are the White-crested White, 

 the White-crested Black, the Golden, and the Silver- 

 spangled, with some bearded varieties. Of these the 

 most beautiful is, perhaps, the first mentioned. The 

 Polish fowls are profuse layers, non-sitters, delicate table 

 fowls, of handsome appearance ; they possess an oddity 

 in their crests, which makes them attractive to the fancier 

 and the amateur. They are contented in confinement, 

 and bear close quarters very well; are easily kept within 

 bounds and, becoming readily attached to their owners, 

 make pleasing pets. When young, they are unusually 

 elegant with their full crests, gracefully shaped little 

 bodies, and tame disposition. On the whole, there is 

 hardly any other breed which would give more satisfac- 

 tory results in every way, where but one is kept, than 

 this. For ornament, the pure white breeds have a de- 

 cided advantage over the colored ones, because they show 

 so conspicuously upon a green lawn or a field. The 

 White Leghorn is very popular on this account, as well 

 as for its prolific egg-producing ; but the White Polish 

 has an advantage over the graceful Leghorn in the pos- 

 session of a crest, a heavier body, and better flesh, as 

 well as being equally valuable as an egg-producer. For 

 ornament, therefore, as well as for use, the White Polish 

 should be popular fowls. 



